Tips for shooting with scopes

[Fractal X]

Does anyone have tips for shooting accurately with scopes?

I've been shooting with iron sights for several years and I can hit fairly well with them. A couple years ago I bought a used Remington 700 in 30-06, the first time I took it to the range I found that the innards of the scope were loose so I took the scope off and shot with the irons. I found that from a bench and with the irons I could put 3 shots under a nickle at 100yds. I put the scope back on it when it came back from Weaver and under the same conditions the best group I seem to be able to get is about 2" in diameter.

I apologize in advance if this has been discussed 100's of times, I did several searches and didn't find anything useful - so if you've got a link to a previous discussion I'd be more than happy to see it.

 

[skinewmexico]

Bad scope still? Loose bases?

 

[2FNSLO]

Really doesn't sound like you need a scope if you can shoot that good with iron sights.

But if you must, check to make sure everything is tight. Base, rings to base, and rings to scope. Might even try a little blue locktite on all the bolts.

 

[Avenger]

I know it sounds a little obvious, but are you chasing your rounds, I.E. making adjustments after each round? It's not good technique, but a lot of people do it.

 

[Fractal X]

No, I haven't adjusted the scope for awhile now.

I suppose there may still be issues with the scope but I really don't suspect it. Before I sent it back for repair it was shooting 10"-12" patterns at 100 yards, now it's shooting ~2" groups around the bullseye.

Is there a "proper" technique for shooting with a scope besides holding the rifle firmly and breathing correctly?

 

[MIL-DOT]

How stable is your shooting platform? I love Harris bi-pods, but we recently started using a sandbag instead, and REALLY like it.

 

[Fractal X]

The shooting with both the irons and the scope was done sitting at a bench with the rifle hand held and with an elbow on the bench for stability. I'll try some sand bags next time I go out and see if it helps.

 

[rangerruck]

There is actually a big diff in shooting with scopes; most of the time it is easier, but for some , it is not. without a scope, even though you could be shooting at a 3 inch dot at 100 yds, it can be much easier to concentrate with open sites, and you will be more inclined to keep the exact same site pic you had, from the previous shot. so even thought the target is small, you are really keeping that front site, in exactly the same place, becuase it is your best reference point; remembering exactly what the previous site pic looked like. this also helps you to keep things both steady and relaxed, in your holding pattern of the rifle, on the bags, and into your shoulder. because your are focusing mainly on your site pic, and not worry about much of anything else.
then you go to the scope, everything is magnified, the site pic, your jittery coffee, and McDonalds french fry nerves, your breathing, , your heart beat, your fingers are slightly twitching now, becuase you don't remember how hard or soft you were holding into your shoulder, or maybe you were loose, or even free recoiling it? So Now you are trying to think of too many variables, that you just didn't have, when you were firing open sites.
My best advice, is slow, slow, slooooww, your deep breathing, relax all your gripping of the stock, finger no where near even the trigger guard, and take time to get your site picture exactly right, right where you want it, all while being very comfy. Then just before the shot, apply your regular grip, and finger to trigger attitude, while keeping the same breathing and site pic you had, just a few moments ago.
then squeeze away...

 

[qajaq59]

If it is a variable scope try turning it down as far as it will go. Often, if you aren't used to seeing the target wobble, it will throw off your shooting something terrible. Mainly because you end up jerking the trigger as it "goes by" the center of your target.

 

[Fractal X]

Thanks guys, I will keep that in mind the next time I go out.